During Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 A.D., Pompeii and Herculaneum in today’s Italy were preserved as they were on the day of their destruction. Particularly at Herculaneum, furnishings were carbonized beneath volcanic ash. This was pivotal to understanding how Classical Roman furniture was designed. Archaeological investigations and printed reproductions of discoveries would influence styles evoking this ancient civilization, from the Renaissance to neoclassicism.
While knowledge of Classical Roman furniture comes from rare surviving pieces, it is also derived from frescoes and sculptures portraying Roman life. Much of Roman art, architecture and design was informed by Greece — Roman architect, military engineer and writer Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, whose timeless De architectura is taught in contemporary architecture classes and pays tribute to classical architecture, visited Greece while working under Julius Caesar and admired the country’s architectural developments. The Roman solium references the Greek thronos, a stately chair of honor with an upright form and footstool. As the Roman Empire spread across Europe and into North Africa and Western Asia, the expansion of trade for silver, silk, marble and wood allowed for more luxurious designs.
Classical Roman furniture was made from bronze, wood and stone — in particular, marble — with ornate touches like tortoiseshell veneers, bone and glass inlays and claw feet. Ornaments depicting lion heads and mythological figures were sculpted from silver, bronze and ivory. Compared to the decorative attention given to the mosaic floors and wall paintings, however, furniture for even a wealthy house was minimal. It focused on the necessities for guests arriving for both socializing and business and the rooms housing family, relatives and enslaved people.
The triclinium dining room had banquet couches, items so prized they were sometimes interred with the deceased. Tall bronze or terracotta candelabras held oil lamps for lighting. Carved marble tables reflected status, while the lararium home shrine demonstrated faith.
Find a collection of Classical Roman decorative objects, tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$1,800Sale Price|28% Off
Alfa Romeo Classic Car Radiator Desk Clock, Jaeger, 1920´s. Automobilia
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Very nice Jaeger 8 days table clock. This is a Classic car clock, circa 1920s. It is mounted over a Classic Alfa Romeo small radiator. Fantastic piece of A...
Brass, Enamel
French 19th Century Clock Set with Roman Centurion and Candelabra
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu and green marble clock garniture. Having a pair of four branch candelabra with classical busts to t...
Marble, Ormolu
Unique Denmark Made Classical Roman Wall Clock with Sculptures and Flowers
Located in Lisse, NL
Tasteful and unique wooden wall clock with sculptural front. The magnificent front of this midcentury era wall clock is entirely hand carved out of solid wood. It is difficult to se...
Brass
Rococo Style Gilt Bronze and Marble Satyr Figurals Mantel Clock
Located in Germantown, MD
A clean Rococo-style gilt bronze figural mantel clock. The clock is a late 19th-century piece, featuring cherubs / satyrs. The style is characterized by elaborate scrollwork, foliag...
Marble, Metal, Bronze, Ormolu
$1,675
H 20.87 in W 17.33 in D 11.42 in
Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head on Top
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head A large handcarved wooden cuckoo clock, decorated with hunting accessoires, oak leaves, hare, pheasant and a stag head ...
Wood
Large French Walnut Brass Wall Sculpture Clock
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern French Deco style wall clock sculpture. Nice combination of solid brass and walnut details. Dated 1959, stamped: Made in France.
Brass
Mocap 'Discodip' Illusionistic Wall Clock
Located in Maastricht, NL
Mocap 'Discodip' illusionistic wall clock design: JAN PAUL “Time is an illusion” Most wall-clocks have the same basic shape: round. Also the ...
Metal
Renaissance Style Gilt Bronze and Enamel Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Renaissance style gilt bronze and enamel mantel clock French, late 19th century Measures: Height 53cm, width 28cm, depth 23cm This exquisite mantel clock is crafted in the idios...
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
$28,500 / set
H 29 in W 19.13 in D 9.75 in
A French 19th C. Louis XV Style Ormolu Cherub Clock & Candelabra Garniture Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An Assembled Very Fine French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze and White Marble Figural Mantel Clock and Candelabra Garniture Set. The finely chased ormolu clock body, with it...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Bronze & Marble Mantel Clock Set
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A captivating three-piece mantel clock, from 19th century France, crafted in Siena marble and gilt bronze, with multiple stylistic reference points from the Grand Tour of Europe. The...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Cathedral Clock
Located in High Point, NC
19th century beautifully hand crafter cathedral clock in gilt bronze. This is a magnificent example of 19th century French craftsmanship. There are many beautiful details to this p...
Bronze
Jaeger Lecoultre Rue De La Paix Desk Clock, 1960s
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Jaeger Lecoultre Rue De La Paix Desk Clock, 1960s Beautiful vintage Jaeger Le Coultre miniature lamppost clock for table or desk. It ha...
Bronze
Jaeger-LeCoultre Mystery Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Jaeger-LeCoultre mystery clock in a Lucite case with beautiful chinoiserie decoration featuring a bird in flight and standing on a gilded stepped bas...
Lucite
Jaeger LeCoultre World Time 8 Day Lacquered Bronze Midcentury Desk Clock
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Jaeger LeCoultre Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: World Time with Date Feature METAL / MATERIAL: Lacquered Bronze CIRCA: 1950's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 8 Day Manually Wound DIAL / HANDS: Bronze Dial, Dauphine Hands DIMENSIONS: 6.25 inches in diameter. Round Raised back 1" to 3" ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. Jaeger LeCoultre is renowned worldwide for their technological achievements in horology. They are the quiet designers behind Cartier's European Watch and Clock...
Bronze, Brass
19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock
By Claude Galle
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century French Bronze and Ormolu Clock. circa 1810 clock Napoleonic Empire Bronze Dore. La Liseuse" clock after Reiche, by Claude Galle & Grand Girad. Signed in Paris
Bronze
Mid-Century 'Marina' Mantel Clock by Jaeger LeCoultre
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A 'Marina' Mantel clock by Jaeger LeCoultre with inset brass decorating and original 8 day movement. Stamped 'Marina' to lower right corner. White Perspex with brass dial and case.
Brass
Sold
H 15 in W 7.5 in D 3 in
Italian Ornate Mantel Clock with Two Figural Cherub Candelabras - Garniture Set
By Hermle
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Italian Roman Style Ornate Mantel Clock with Two Figural Cherub Candelabras - Garniture Set The Vintage Italian Roman Style Ornate Mantel ...
Brass
Viennese Classical Enamel Table Clock
Located in Newark, England
Stunning Viennese enamel table clock circa 1880. The table clock of fine form with four central columns painted extensively with gods and goddesses amongst a central figure of Diana....
Metal, Enamel, Ormolu
Brass Sand Clock/Timer
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a sand clock made with glass and brass. Two round brass plates joined by three brass columns semi-enclosed the eight shaped glass containing the sand. ...
Brass
Vintage Mid-19th Century French Empire Figural Clock
Located in Bronx, NY
This vintage, circa 1855, French Empire mantel clock is designed with a doré bronze mythological subject upon a footed white marble and gilt bronze platform. The mounted bronze sculp...
Bronze, Enamel
Rare Large Cartier Mantle Clock
By Cartier
Located in Dallas, TX
Expert craftsmanship! A rare and important Cartier mantle or desk clock of heavy gilt gold bronze with a polished Lapis Lazuli cobalt blue and yellow gold inclusions. Of classical carriage decorative design with columns and a Greek winged eye touch. Roman numerals and chiseled incised hands and face. This clock is extraordinarily heavy, very solid, tight and works perfectly. This is a bit of a Cartier mystery clock...
Bronze